The situation in Punganur turned tense during TDP chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s visit, as clashes erupted between YSRCP and TDP workers. YSRCP workers reportedly attacked TDP workers, leading the police to use rubber bullets and tear gas to control the situation.
In the chaos, some TDP workers were injured, and they retaliated with a counter-attack. The police’s attempts to calm the situation proved ineffective, and they had to retreat, leaving the situation unresolved. The tense atmosphere resulted in vehicles being stopped on the Punganur bypass road.
The police are now deploying large numbers of officers to prevent further incidents and to stop TDP workers from returning to Punganur town. However, the confrontations continued, with both sides pelting stones at each other. In the midst of the chaos, a police Vajra vehicle was vandalized by YSRCP activists, and another police vehicle was set on fire.
The YSRCP leaders appear to be frustrated by the overwhelming response to Chandrababu and Lokesh’s meetings in the region. They seem unable to digest the large crowds seen at Pulivendula, leading them to create obstacles during the Padayatra and Chandrababu’s visit. Clashes have been ongoing between YSRCP and TDP workers, even though Chandrababu has Z Plus category security.
These recent attacks on Chandrababu’s convoy have caught the attention of the Union Home Department, given his Z-Plus Category security status. TDP MP Kanakamedala Ravindrakumar has written a letter regarding the matter, and the Union Home Ministry has requested security details for Lokesh Yuvagalam Padayatra as well. The Home Ministry directed the State Government to increase Security Cover for Chandrababu and Lokesh immediately.
The situation remains tense and under close observation by authorities.
